Parenting Perspective 

When children feel stressed (before homework, during sibling conflicts, or after a tough day) their emotions often come out in tears, frustration, or silence. A practical way to help them calm down is through a short one-minute breathing routine paired with dua. This combines emotional regulation with spiritual grounding, giving them both calmness and comfort in Allah Almighty’s remembrance. 

Keep It Simple and Short 

Explain to children that they only need one minute. Ask them to sit comfortably, close their eyes if they wish, and place a hand on their chest. The short timeframe makes it approachable, even in the middle of busyness. 

Pair Breathing with Words 

Guide them to inhale slowly while softly saying “Bismillah” and then exhale while saying “Alhamdulillah.” The rhythm of the breath calms the body, and the words direct the heart towards gratitude and connection. 

Practise Together First 

Do the routine as a family when things are calm, so it feels familiar before stress arises. When tension builds, you can say: ‘Let us do our one-minute breathing dua.’ The habit works best when children already know what to expect. 

End with Reassurance 

After the minute, say something encouraging: ‘See how your body feels lighter now?’ Linking the dua to relief helps children see it as a tool they can use anywhere, anytime. 

This small practice trains children to manage stress gently, blending self-regulation with spiritual mindfulness. 

Spiritual Insight 

Breathing dua routines remind children that turning to Allah Almighty in moments of stress is both calming and rewarding. Islam encourages remembrance of Allah in every state, in ease and difficulty, and pairing dhikr with breath connects the soul and body in harmony. 

Qur’an Guidance 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ra’ad (13), Verses 28: 

‘…Indeed, it is only with the remembrance of Allah (Almighty) that one can (and does) find peace of mind and heart.’ 

This reminds us that dhikr is not just a ritual, but a source of real emotional ease, calming the heart in moments of worry. 

Hadith Reminder 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 1434, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The similitude of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember Him is like the living and the dead.’ 

This teaches us that dhikr brings vitality and resilience, while its absence leaves us spiritually fragile. 

By guiding children in a one-minute breathing dua, parents teach that even stress can be softened through remembrance. Over time, children learn that Allah Almighty is their refuge in every anxious moment, and that calmness and strength come from combining body, mind, and heart in His remembrance.